Apple's expansion of iOS development team focuses on location services

Apple this week put a call out to fill more than two dozen positions related to iOS development, suggesting a major expansion of its mobile operating system team, particularly with regard to location services.

Seven of the positions advertised this week and discovered by AppleInsider are for the role of an iOS Location Technologies software engineer. The jobs, represented by seven individual requisition numbers, do not offer a specific description of the full-time positions, and are simply listed as "TBD."

Apple's call for more location services specialists could be a sign that Apple plans to offer new location-based services built in-house on future iOS devices, like the iPhone. The hires come as Apple is rumored to be working on a major overhaul of its cloud-based MobileMe service.

Apple has shown a great deal of interest in expanded location-based services in the past, including a concept for location-based home screens on iOS devices. A 2009 patent filing showed that Apple has explored the idea of a dynamic iPhone home screen that would automatically display information such as local weather, time and maps based on a user's location.

The company has also investigated a social networking style service that would allow users to quickly share their location with another person while placing a call. Such information would be valuable to friends who are trying to meet but do not know each others' whereabouts.

In addition to location services, many other facets of iOS were covered in the more than two dozen job postings made this week by Apple. The company is seeking everything from antenna experts, to Bluetooth specialists, to software developers who can help improve its native Photo and Calendar applications for iOS.

As is typical for Apple job listings, many of the advertised positions do not reveal what the company may be working on in future handsets or iOS updates. But the sheer number of new hires listed this week for iOS-related positions is unique, and hints that the company has big plans ahead for its mobile operating system.

In general, many large institutions or corporations do need a lot of "new" staff because of expansion, turnovers, resignations, retirements, etc. So, they advertise regularly. Lots and lots of them. And, the ones I am familiar with are not the size comparable to Apple, or any of the top 100 corporations.

However, most of the advertised positions are low-level, while higher- and top-level positions ads are formalities -- to avoid any potential legal challenge of discriminations or some other regulations.

Some companies, like Microsoft use "summer internship" to screen the brightest among undergraduates. All expenses paid with lots of fringe benefits. Google has script writing and technical projects programs or "retreats" down to the high school level. I am not sure if Apple has similar programs. I have not read of them. But, these venues are quite critical in scouting the "visionaries" of the future. Or, at least having a database of gifted potential employees.

Higher- and top-level positions usually may prompt a search committee, from within the institution, or through reputable professional head hunters. Normally, the pool top level indviduals in any field are well-known already -- based from their work or reputation among the "inner circle" of the trade. In corporations, it is not unusual that "background checks" are conducted.

Normally, because it is very sensitive, sometimes a "common colleague" may be used as a feeler. Either very subtly (this happens in conferences, and symposia socials) or more directly when there is enough interest, and the "background check" proved a very definite positive asset.

In universities, research institutions or even many biomedical companies, the next stage may be an invitation to present a seminar. Since seminars are so common, the current employer may not even know that the person is consider other avenues, or the host institution, company or organization is recruiting or already negotiating with a prospective higher-level or top-level position.

In prestigious universities, the process for faculty positions (e.g., Assistant Professor) will take about a year, just to reach the first stage. Higher level positions take even longer. It may take several months, or longer after an agreement has been sealed before the finishing touches are made. Then, the filled position is announced.

A dozen or so positions, weekly or monthly? For a company the size of Apple?

Either Apple has almost zero attrition, turnovers, or they are not "investing" enough of their $60billion war chest.

Just a quick possible suggestions - can we keep a tab on these kinds of stories - to actually see the advert <=> feature release timeframe? I'd imagine hardware and software will be different, with QC/QA roles perhaps coming on board faster -

Sounds like iOS 6 at this point? Though if they're bringing out LBS and NFC, surely they'll want these chaps for iOS5?

Are there any known examples of features going from advert to release?

If location services are so important, why is there no GPS in the basic model iPad 2?

It would be a good enticement for anyone who really needs a GPS to buy the model that has this feature. Every specification has a cost, no matter how it may appear to be a small amount. If you look at Apple pricing of their products, you will find the nuaned differences in features, and the very small incremtal differences in their pricing. Before you know it, you are going to buy the next higher version, at a hiigher price because it is critical for what you do, or you have been "persuaded that you need it.

Also, not everyone would need a GPS, a higher RAM, or ither features that others might feel essential. By placing the basics in the base model,, those buying the basic model would not be subsidizing the true cost attached to any added feature.

This policy is one of the reasons why Apple can price the iPad very aggressively. On the other hand, the iPad killers has no chice but to add all those "extra features, and gloat about it. But not rea;ozomg that all those extra features cost money. Thus, the current higher featured Androids also cost most.